Well, they pumped all the gas they could out of Jack and his chum, and tied flat-irons to their feet so that there was no danger of them floating away again, and the rest of the trip to Illusia was made without misfortune. Maida was asleep when they arrived at the City, and when she dressed and went on deck, she found the airship moored to a totem pole just outside the walls, and everybody gone. She searched the ship high and low, but there was no sign of her friends. She knew there was danger for a mortal in the City of Illusia. If she were found there she would be put to death; but she decided to take the chance, thinking she could escape detection in the crowds. So she slipped off and entered the huge gate. She was simply amazed at the beauty around her everywhere. Huge palaces on every hand made of gold and silver covered with wonderful pictures and arabesques. Pointed turrets that hung overhead roofed with polished copper. Tall towers of pearl and porcelain seemed to reach to the very skies. The streets were paved with marble, the fountains ran soda water, there were flowers everywhere, and no signs, “Keep off the grass” or “Private.” But nobody was in sight. She strayed about through the deserted squares, and among the temples and shops, till finally she met a man hurrying as if he were late for supper. She stopped him. “Please, sir, are you an Illusion?” she asked. “I am a citizen of Illusia,” he answered, without stopping, “yes!” Maida hurried along by his side. “Tell me sir,” she inquired, “what makes Illusia so beautiful?” The man smiled kindly. “Illusia is beautiful,” he answered, “because it is built of the rose-tinted dreams of young maidens and the brave hopes of youth. The dreams and the visions of the children are not wasted. They are brought here--they are used to build our palaces and temples. Time can never shatter them--they can never be destroyed.” And so he went his way. Although Maida did not understand exactly, she thought what he said was very pretty. By and by she found out why the streets were deserted. She came to a great Plaza, and there was the whole population of the city packed in a dense crowd, evidently waiting for something to happen. She decided she would wait too, and she managed to make her way to the front of the crowd. No sooner had she found a nook somewhat sheltered, than a huge shaft of light, pure white and almost blinding, shot up from the palace which faced the Plaza. All the people were delighted to see the white light and murmured with joy. “What is it?” inquired Maida turning to the little girl next to her, “a searchlight?” “Huh,” replied the girl, “don’t you know? That’s the Queen, Aurora Borealis.” Maida realized she was in deadly danger, but it was too late to retreat, so she simply waited. A herald came out on the steps of the palace and blew three blasts on a trumpet.